#983 Early morning on the event site

Early morning in San Pedro, CA with the twin brigantines, IRVING and EXY JOHNSON

It’s the calm before the storm and there is a quiet anticipation reverberating across the site. Vendors are shaking out their tablecloths and rearranging their wares. There are pump out trucks, grocery trucks and water trucks all over the place, as ships get most of the dirty work done before the crowds descend ( I promise, you do not want to be around when the “honey” truck makes it’s rounds).

The light is soft and the ships sparkle a little. The fleet is slowly coming to life as crew members stagger topside and take a stretch, while some have their towels tucked under their arms as they return from the showers. Coffee is taken on deck as they chat about the night before and make plans for lunch, always one meal ahead. A group takes off with backpacks, ready to explore a new city on their day off. I’m usually coming out of a meeting, clutching coffee like my life depends on it (which, let’s be real, it does) and ready to round up the interns. Another awesome day begins on the tall ship circuit.

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